Right from the very start Dany’s* life has been filled with challenges.
Shortly after he was born, his father died in a traffic accident, leaving him and his mother to fend for themselves.
In time his mother remarried, and they moved into a cramped zinc-roof cottage with his stepfather, and two younger stepbrothers in rural Cambodia.
But even then, life was a constant struggle. His stepfather worked in construction far away in Phnom Penh when his health allowed, but frequent illnesses meant irregular income and regular medical expenses. His mother tended their small home and grew vegetables, but it was never enough. They struggled to provide the kids with daily meals let alone afford sending them to school.
But then, a few years ago, new hope arrived when our local partner invited Dany to join their sponsorship program. Suddenly, he had everything he needed for school: books, pens, a bag, and even a bicycle to ride to class.
The real transformation though came through something more personal – the home visits.
Our partners didn’t just drop off supplies and leave. They sat with Dany, encouraging him to study hard at school and work hard at home. They explained why education mattered for his future and taught the family about hygiene, child rights, and safety. These visits filled Dany with hope and determination.
“This kind of support encouraged him and made him so happy,” reflects his mum.
He became a keen and hardworking student and began helping around home. The family’s health also improved as they embraced better hygiene activities. For perhaps the first time, Dany and his family began hoping for a brighter future.
Then heartbreak struck. His mother took a small loan to start a pig-raising business but when disease swept through their herd, the family was forced to sell them at a loss, plunging them deeper into debt.
Desperate, Dany’s parents moved to Phnom Penh for construction work, leaving him alone with his stepbrothers. At just 13, he became parent and provider – cooking meals, helping with homework, and searching the rice fields at night for fish and frogs to feed his family. Exhausted and overwhelmed, he began arriving late for class and eventually started missing school entirely.
After some time, he made the painful decision to drop out of school and leave the sponsorship program.
But here’s where our model of partnering with local grassroots organisations truly shines.
Our partners never gave up on Dany’s family. As part of the community, they continued visiting the three boys, often bringing them food support packages to ensure they didn’t go hungry. This unwavering support was a lifeline in their darkest time.
Thankfully, Dany’s parents eventually returned home to the village. His stepfather found local construction work, and his mother began collecting and selling scrap materials.
Seeing their renewed hope and determination, our partner provided the family with a loan to expand the scrap business. This time, success followed. The loan allowed them to expand their business and sell materials strategically when prices peaked.
“We can now save money, pay debts, and handle emergencies,” his mum reports with joy.
Most importantly, this stability has rekindled hope. With improved family income, Dany now has the prospect of returning to school – a dream that seemed impossible during those difficult years caring for his brothers.
Dany’s story is an example of how, through partnership, your generosity, our local partners’ dedication, and a family’s resilience, can transform lives and restore hope, not just for survival, but for an education and future they once thought were gone forever.
This is an excerpt from our latest edition of Hope Magazine. Which is filled with powerful stories of people realising their potential – their capacity and possibility – in the face of incredible challenges, thanks to your support.
You can read the rest of the magazine online here, or get in touch to request one be sent to you in the mail.
*Some names have been changed to protect those we serve.